MLB Player News

Zimmermann has allowed five runs (three earned) on 12 hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over 7.2 innings in Grapefruit League play.

Zimmermann's history as a starter made it possible he'd be considered for a spot in the rotation, but all three of his spring appearances have come in relief. He's also giving up too many baserunners with a 1.96 WHIP in spring -- those kinds of numbers could lead to him being in the bullpen to begin the year if he makes the major-league roster.

Hernandez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a light bullpen session this weekend, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez has been playing catch the last few days and will do so again Tuesday before progressing to some mound work shortly thereafter. The Royals have not ruled the reliever out for Opening Day yet, but it seems unlikely that he'll have time to ramp things back up by then.

Santos will not be ready for Opening Day after an MRI revealed a mild right lat strain, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Santos had been slated for a bullpen session Monday, but that was scratched after he felt a pinch in his lat area. Testing has revealed a minor strain, and he will presumably be shut down from throwing for a while. Santos is slated to serve in a setup role once he's healthy, but he now joins Matt Brash (elbow) on the shelf for the time being.

Jansen (lat) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and is still expected to make his spring debut Friday against the Twins, Ian Browne of MLB.comreports.

The veteran closer came into camp dealing with lat soreness but has ramped up his throwing program recently, and he's now on the cusp of game action. Jansen will have just under two weeks to prep for Opening Day in Seattle on March 28.

Mayza gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Entering the game in the fourth inning, Mayza fanned Jose Caballero en route to another clean frame. The veteran southpaw has a 0.00 ERA through four spring innings with a 5:1 K:BB, and after recording a career-high 22 holds in 2023, he's on track to be the top left-handed set-up man for closer Jordan Romano in the Toronto bullpen.

White allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over three innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out two.

The 29-year-old right-hander got his first start of the spring after three relief appearances, and White tossed two scoreless frames before running into trouble in the third after giving up back-to-back singles to Rene Pinto and Yandy Diaz. White has a lackluster 5.00 ERA and 4:7 K:BB through nine Grapefruit League innings, and he appears to be behind Bowden Francis in the battle for the fifth starter role that has opened up due to Alek Manoah's shoulder issues.

The Tigers optioned Englert to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Englert has had a solid spring, yielding four runs and posting a 10:2 K:BB over 7.2 innings. He'll get a chance in the Tigers' bullpen eventually, but for now, he'll report to Toledo.

Criswell allowed two hits and struck out four over 3.2 scoreless innings in Monday's spring start against Pittsburgh.

Criswell was added to the rotation competition after an elbow injury to Lucas Giolito will require him to undergo surgery Tuesday. "We see [Criswell] as a starter until he's not," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "Whatever decision we make, I'm intrigued." With two open rotation spots following Giolito's injury, Criswell joins a mix that includes Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski. Criswell had a 5.97 ERA over 12 games with the Angels and Rays from 2021-23, but the Red Sox felt he could benefit from a personalized plan for improvement, which included changing the grip on his slider and improving his fastball. The right-hander has allowed four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 10.1 spring innings.

Erceg fired two scoreless relief innings during which he allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts in a Cactus League win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

The right-hander's spring ERA remained unblemished with Monday's impressive performance, and the two hits were the first he's allowed this spring. Erceg has appeared in four Cactus League games overall and pitched a total of five innings, allowing an unearned run with a 5:1 K:BB. Erceg logged the first 50 big-league appearances of his career last season in Oakland, occasionally working as a multi-inning reliever and posting a 4-4 record, 11 holds, a 4.75 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP.

Fairbanks didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two in a scoreless inning in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

The outing marked Fairbanks' spring debut, and he didn't disappoint. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, he hit 98 mph with his fastball while striking out the first two batters he faced. Fairbanks is coming off an excellent 2023 season and projects to earn the majority of save chances for Tampa Bay in 2024.